Compensator for wire-rope signal-connections



(No Model.)

S. H. HARRINGTON.

OOMPENSAIOR POE WIRE ROPE SIGNAL CONNECTIONS.

N. PETERS. Phwunkhognphur. wnhingwn. D. c,

" trice.

SAMUEL H. I-IARRINGTON, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

COMPENSATOR FOR WIRE-ROPE SIGNAL-CONNECTIONS..

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No, 344,042, dated June 22, 1886.

Serial No. 199,160. (No model.)

T0 all whom t may concern: y

Be it known that I, SAMUEL H. HARRING.- TON, of Columbus, Franklin county, State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Compensators for VVire-Itope Signal-Go1inections, of which the following is a full and true description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

rIhe object of my invention is to provide a device whereby the wire-rope connection between a railway-signal and its actuating-lever may be kept taut, and all variations in length, arising either from variations in temperature or from stretching, compensated for; and a further object is to provide asimple and efficient device whereby the compensating action is obtained in two lines of wire, both actuated by the same lever. These objects I'accomplisb, as hereinafter fully described, and as illustrated in the drawings, which show my invention as applied to the distance-signals actuated from a crossing signal-post, and in whichi Figure lis acentral sectional elevation; Fig. 2, a side elevation, and Fig. 3 a plan.

A is a post to which my device is attached.

B is a strong bracket secured to the post, and forming a bearing at its outerend,through which passes a shaft, D. This shaft is preferably of square section, bushings O being provided where it passes through itssupportingbearings. The shaft D is turned iu its bearings by a lever or any convenient actuating device. Keyed to the shaft D, and preferably resting on the "bushing G, is a bevel-wheel, E, having teeth e e on segments of its rim,divided by plain segments e e.

F and F are bevel-wheels having teeth fitted to engage with the teeth of the segments e e ofthe wheel E.

the wire or rope M, which actuates the signal N. This signal N, which may be of any convenient kind, is counterweighted, so that it will maintain itself in the danger position at all ti mes,save when drawn down tosafety. The operation of this device will be readily understood. As represented in the drawings, the signal-lever is in its normal or danger position, and, as will be observed, the teeth e on the wheel E are outl of contact with the teeth of the wheels F F', and the shafts J J are free to turn in their bearings. Consequently, ifthe wire or rope M becomes elongated, the weight L will fall to an equal extent, or, on the other hand, it will rise if the wire or rope is shortened, the sprocket-wheel I turning freely with any movement ofthe chain K. In this way the wire or rope is always kept tight and under the same strain when the signal is atits normal position. Vhen it is desired to set the signal to safety, the shaft D is rotated, generally through an angle of ninety degrees, and the toothed segments e of the wheel E engage with the teeth of the wheels F F, causing them, and through them, the shafts J and J and sprocket-wheels I I', to rotate. The rotation ofthe wheels I I draws the signal-arms N down to safety by means of the wires or ropes M, whereA they are securelyl retained until the shaft D is turned back toits normal position, when they rise by gravity to their danger or horizontal position. In moving the shaft D from danger to safety the Weight L is raised and sustained by thesprock` et-wheel I, so that the counter-weight on the semaphore-arm, is relieved from the work of raising said weight, which does not exercise any strain on the wire M, until the toothless segments e of the wheel E come above the spur-wheels F. i By actuating the two signals, one in each direction, from the crossing signal-post A by a signal-whecl, E, perfect uniformity and precision of movement are insured, and this is an important feature of my invention, though I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to this exclusively, as it is evident that my compensating plan may be used for a single signal-line, or that, if necessary, more than two lines may be connected with an actuatingwheel E.

Where, as shown in the drawings, the shafts IOO `2 -I c c 344,042

J J are to be rotated inopposite directions. I other end, the sprocket-Wheel I, havingl teeth do not think the arrangement shown can' be adapted to engage the chain, and secured to a 2o modified to any advantage; but Where two or shaft, J, having a spur-Wheel, F, at its other more shafts are to be rotated in the saine diend, a wheel, E, or its equivalent, having 5 rection, or where but one line is connected toothed segments e and plain segments e', and `with the lever, it is obvious that structural means for actuatingthesame, all substantially changes may be niadeas, for instance, inas and for the purpose specified. z5 stead of a Wheel, E, a straight rack with teeth 2. In combination With beveled geanwheels omitted, or .cnt away in section, made to lnesh F F', arranged together with the sprocket- Io with a Wheel, F, having ordinary spur-teeth Wheels, drive-chains, and Weights to actuate would act in the same Way as the device illussignals, substantially as specified, the Wheel trated. K E, having toothed segments e e and plain Seg- 3o Having now described myinvention, what I ments ee. claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters SAML `H HRRINGTON I5 Patent, is-

l. In combination with a signal wire or Witnesses: rope, the drive-chain K, attached to the Wire G. C. CORNER, at one end, and having a weight, L, at the C. B. PUGH. 

